Redcliffe * Queensland * Australia
The town where my children and grandchildren were all born.


On Sunday, I awoke early, washed yesterday's dishes and let the dogs out before again sitting out on the deck, but only for a short while as today is the day I hope to finish getting my stuff in the storage shed sorted out. Evan came to get me and help again, I don't know what I would have done without him. Because time was a problem and it was about the only day that would work my best friend from school came to keep me company and help too. She suggested a lighted match may be the easiest way, but I explained that there were a few items I had to get and until I found them I'd have to keep digging through every box! Evan made a few more trips to the dump so a lot of stuff was going, I found a few of the items I was looking for and had a good time with Beth. It's strange how when you are really familiar with a person even five years seems a short time when you are back in each other's company.

I am staying the night at Evan and Karissa's place, I bought Chinese food from the same Chinese restaurant that I used to go to all those years ago, I've been thinking about their Sweet and Sour Pork ever since I booked my plane ticket but wanted to wait to share the meal with Evan and Karissa since I knew they liked it too. Emily and Sean asked for seconds. After eating they wanted me to take photographs of them and to look at pictures on my laptop again, it's sure easy to entertain them! I will always treasure the time I spent with the kids, even getting kicked and rolled on during this night when I slept with them, or maybe especially that time. I ended up across the bottom of the bed to escape Sean's nocturnal gymnastics and awoke to find Emily snuggled against me. A night to remember...

On Monday I was going to be doing almost nothing but the shed, but once I got there I couldn't stand it. Evan dropped me off and it seemed so lonely there going through the stuff in such dismal surroundings with no view except for a wall. I called James to see if he could help after he had been into work for a few minutes but he had to go to Brisbane. So I decided to spend some time with him doing what we used to do, we went for a drive in his car that I had been teaching him to drive in, it's odd how normal it seemed out in the car with James. He insisted that he be with me when I drove by my old house, and I'm glad he was, I don't think I could have done it alone and if I tried I think I may have been too emotional to drive after seeing the place. I felt like I had only been away for a short time and that everything should be just the same if I were to go indoors...

The Red Cliffs that inspired Captain Cook to name Redcliffe Humpybong Creek

Looking at the saltwater pool from Redcliffe Parade Looking toward Scott's Point

Then I borrowed Evan and Karissa's car and went back to the shed for more sorting. I finished all the easy stuff but still have to decide what to try to bring in my two bags, what to mail and what to send back to the shed to sell at a garage sale. On the spur of the moment I went out to take pictures of some paintings that my Mother had done for my little brother and sisters day care center. Luckily after 32 years they were still there hanging in the nursery area. The woman there asked if the family wanted them but I told her that my Mother had done them for them and that we would not be asking for their return, especially since they are hanging in the nursery and being enjoyed by many children as Mom had wanted. I did however write some details on the back of the frame, the only thing on the painting had been my Mother's signature and I don't know if there is anyone still there who knows the history of them. Lisa came and got me from Aaron's place with the last boxes that I need to go through. It was good to be heading to her place, I needed some time with her.

June Bunnett's paintings donated to Grace Kindergarten.

Farewell to Redcliffe
Page 1.. My Trip to Australia Page 2.. There at last Page 3, The Wedding Day Page 4, Redcliffe
Page 5, The Gold Coast Page 6, Brisbane Page 7, My trip Home Page 8, Back in Winona